Review - Spector: Incorruptible
Out now from Rebellion
A special graphic novel with the final works by the great Carlos Ezquerra, Spector: Incorruptible, is out now in print and digital formats from Rebellion.
Just a few years into our future, faced with unsustainable levels of corruption within the branches of city government, and a police force that is equally rotten, Spector is created. A robot detective, untainted by corruption and beyond bribery, Spector is charged with cleaning up the city. But it is an uphill battle, as many people currently in positions of power want the robot to fail.
John Wagner (w) Carlos Ezquerra, Dan Cornwell (a) Dylan Teague (c) Jim Campbell (l)
Take some Judge Dredd, add some Robocop, a sprinkle of Johnny Alpha, and perhaps some Dick Tracy, and you get Spector. Combining John Wagner's writing and Carlos Ezquerra's art was always a win, and I found this to be an enjoyable read.
Spector is a new type of cop in a corrupt world. Fighting against this, there are parallels with Elliot Ness (mentioned in the book, too!), and this works well.
It’s not predictable here, but a wicked combination of action, adventure, humour, and politics is built into one. Adding in the robot/science-fiction elements is minimal to the story, and really, this is a police story—the cop taking on the gangs of the corrupt.
He’s not alone. There is an excellent supporting cast here, with technicians and others who support Spector’s goals. On the flip side, there are dirty cops and politicians who want to maintain the status quo, using more extreme measures to achieve their goals.
The art and stylings are what you would expect, with some stunning action set pieces and some sly winks to the reader with some of the facial expressions and angles used. The city is well crafted, and there are some excellent scenes, and the cover is brilliant.
This is an excellent cop/crime read. It is full of tongue-in-cheek humour and action throughout the story. Something keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Available in print from: 2000 AD webshop, book stores, Amazon, and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop, 2000 AD app for Apple & Android
